CW operation of monolithic arrays of surface-emitting folded-cavity InGaAs/AlGaAs diode lasers

A monolithic 0.84-cm/sup 2/ two-dimensional array of surface-emitting folded-cavity InGaAs/AlGaAs diode lasers was mounted junction up on a W/Cu microchannel heatsink and evaluated under continuous-wave (CW) operating conditions. Each laser in the array contained two upward-deflecting internal-cavity 45 degrees mirrors which were etched using chlorine ion-beam-assisted etching, and two top-surface facets. The CW threshold current densities of different sections of the array were or=30%. A CW output power of over 40 W was obtained from the entire array, while a current-limited output power density of 84 W/cm/sup 2/ with an average temperature rise of approximately 30 degrees C was obtained from a quarter of the array.<>